Natives in the Himalayas have used ropes and cables since quite early in their cultures as a quicker and easier form of transport for navigating the extreme terrain, but it’s not known for certain who first invented the zip wire.

Initially it was something borne out of absolute necessity to transport food or people, rather than the fun sport we’re more familiar with today.

More recently zip lining has been the preserve of biologists as a way of accessing remote areas of rain forests, without impacting too much on the environment, until it became a popular thrill-seeking activity. That’s not to say biologists don’t enjoy zip lining too!